Chapter 239 Chapter 239.

Chapter 239 Chapter 239.
Luca. 

I watched as she slipped into her panties, then pulled a short nightgown over herself, the fabric barely doing anything to hide her, before she sprayed her body mist, the scent hitting me again, stronger this time.

“Fuck,” I breathed out quietly, shifting slightly where I lay.

She stepped out of the closet and smiled at me.

And I had to adjust myself, my jaw clenching as I looked at her.

She stopped in front of me, her expression thoughtful, her lips twitching slightly.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice low, strained.

She smiled softly. “I want to talk to you. I know you have been listening to me even when you act like you are not, but tonight I want to be close to you and actually talk.”

I stared at her, saying nothing.

She rushed her next words, almost tripping over them. “It is fine if you do not want me to sit near you. I do not deserve that yet, I guess.”

I let out a sharp breath. “Get over here, mama.”

Her entire face lit up instantly, her smile so bright it hit me straight in the chest.

She did not just sit.

She climbed onto me, lying down fully, her body pressing against mine, her nightgown shifting just enough to see her ass.

I sucked in a breath as her chest pressed against me, her scent overwhelming, her warmth seeping into me like it belonged there.

“Luca,” she whispered softly, her voice almost teasing, “you are hard.”

I closed my eyes, swallowing thickly. “Do not mind it,” I managed, my voice tight. “I do not want to make this about your body.”

She exhaled softly. “You know that is not really it, right? If you want me, that is fine. I just did not want to use it to manipulate you.”

I opened my eyes, meeting hers. “I am sure. Do not worry about it.”

She nodded, then lifted her hand to my face, her fingers tracing lightly, her lips parting slightly as she looked at me.

“I am sorry,” she whispered. “I miss you so much that it actually hurts. I want my man back.”

I kept my face blank.

Inside, I was falling apart.

I wanted to grab her. I wanted to tell her it was over, that I had forgiven her, that I was done with this stupid distance.

But not yet.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow was her birthday.

Her first birthday since I got out.

And I was going to make it count.

“I have been miserable,” she continued softly. “Derby is tired of me. I cry all the time. My eyes hurt so much that I had to start using eye drops.”

My chest tightened painfully.

Just a few more hours, baby.

She shifted slightly, kissing my cheek before speaking again. “I am not giving up. I will keep apologizing every day if I have to. One month, two months, six months. Actually, no, I think I would die before that, so please, you have to forgive me at some point.”

A small breath of amusement almost escaped me.

She was unbelievable.

“I swear I panicked,” she continued. “I could not stand the idea of someone else putting a ring on your finger. I was so stupid.”

“Do not say that,” I cut in, my voice rough.

She smiled faintly. “I think you are coming back. You know what gave you away? The first few days were terrible. You were so cold that I thought I had lost you, but then you started slipping. The money you sent me when I went to the salon, the painkillers you hid in my food, arranging my clothes in your closet, checking on me at night when you thought I was asleep. I knew I still had a chance.”

She looked at me, her eyes soft.

“I am sorry, my love. Te amo. I love you. Je t’aime. Ich liebe dich. Te iubesc. Aishiteru. Saranghae. Wo ai ni. Ya tebya lyublyu.”

My chest tightened.

Do not ruin it.

Stay calm.

“Tell me when you will be free,” she added gently. “I booked a trip for us.”

“To where?” I asked.

“Switzerland,” she said with a small smile. “I spent the whole night looking at places, and I fell in love with it. Do you want to go?”

I nodded. “I will check my schedule and let you know.”

She leaned in and kissed my lips.

And then froze.

And pulled back.

I clenched my jaw.

Continue.

Do not stop.

But she did.

“I am sorry,” she murmured. “I got carried away.”

I looked away, exhaling slowly.

Tomorrow.

I will fix this tomorrow.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, holding me close. “I miss you. And for the record, we never broke up. Exes do not act like this. We just had a really bad argument.”

“I think so too,” I replied.

She nodded. “That night was traumatic for me. I saw a side of you I never want to see again. So I will never try to break up with you again, not even as a joke.”

“For real?” I asked.

“For real. I swear. I swear on my mom.”

I let out a quiet chuckle, finally wrapping my arms around her waist.

She looked up at me. “Have you forgiven me? You feel different tonight.”

I shook my head. “No.”

Her face fell slightly. “Okay. You can take your time.”

She touched my chin gently. “Can we sleep like this tonight? I have cramps. My period is coming.”

I nodded. “Fine. Is it bad?”

“A little,” she admitted. “But I am okay.”

I adjusted her against me, my hand rubbing her back slowly. “Do you need anything?”

She shook her head, pressing closer. “No. I just want to stay like this.”

Minutes passed.

Her breathing softened.

And just before she drifted off, she murmured softly against my chest,

“I love you, Luca. It has always been you, and it will always be you. I hope tomorrow will be better.”